Microsoft has announced that Windows developers can now create universal apps that work on tablets, smartphones and desktop platforms.
Windows Phone 8.1 has allowed Microsoft to let developers create universal apps that work across all form factors and can be optimised for all three levels.
One single API can be used to create a single app that looks beautiful on all Windows platforms, whether that be Windows Phone 8.1 or Windows 8.1 on your desktop.
This should bolster the app offering with Windows Phone 8.1, something which has always been a negative point for the mobile platform when compared with the vast offerings available with Android's Google Play Store and the iOS App Store.
At last count in December 2013, the Windows Phone store offered 200,000 apps for Microsoft's mobile users.
“The current holiday shopping season and all the great promotions are just underway, and we’re already seeing momentum build with the Store surpassing 12 million transactions per day and Windows Phone Store surpassing 200,000 apps,” read the Windows Blog at the time. “The best news is that we’re just getting started.”
Microsoft seems to be making it easier for developers to infuse all the Microsoft app stores with content, but still making sure they can be mobile optimised from the off.
Developers will be able to tune their app according to the platform, even adding smartphone or tablet specific features without having to create a separate app.
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